Plans for Royal Weston’s first four-star hotel scuppered by disgruntled locals

Plans to create the first four-star hotel in Royal Weston in Somerset have stalled after locals raised concerns over the development.

Owners of the listed building on South Parade lodged a planning application in July to create a 72-bed annexe adjacent to the hotel.

But now locals – and Weston Town Council – have voiced concerns in consultations that the three-storey extension will impact the area.

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Developers have responded by cutting the original extension plan by six bedrooms, with the annexe now set further back from the seafront, the restaurant reduced in size plus the lowering of an underground car park.

A hotel spokesman said the owners hold ‘the future of Weston at heart’ and believe an expansion would be an ‘asset to the town’ – luring more visitors to Weston.

They added: “The expansion would create a venue capable of capitalising on the social and business trade which has previously gone elsewhere.

“It is the intention of the directors to try to achieve four-star rating for the expanded business.

Central ward councillor Richard Nightingale said: “The development of the Royal Hotel would see Weston’s first four-star hotel, along with the creation of 30 new jobs. It should also have a substantial financial benefit to our town’s economy.”